The Brownfield Redevelopment Initiative (BRI) identifies, prioritizes and acquires environmentally-distressed properties. Our staff then assembles resources to remove redevelopment barriers.

Our systematic approach results in numerous community benefits:

• Protection of public health and a cleaner environment
• Tax base enhancement
• Finding productive uses for neglected and environmentally challenged sites
• Job creation and retention
• Spin-off redevelopment and stronger neighborhoods
• Creating an alternative to suburban sprawl and the loss of open space

Under the approved work plan for the City of Kalamazoo’s Site Assessment Grant for Hazardous Substances, limited funding has been set aside to assist developers of privately-owned brownfield sites complete their due diligence environmental assessments, prior to acquisition. Guidelines for Environmental Site Assessment Assistance (.pdf).

Download the 2007 Annual Report (.pdf) for information about the program.

Brownfield Redevelopment Authority

The City of Kalamazoo was one of the first cities in Michigan to create a Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and implement a brownfield plan (.pdf).  Potential benefits to developers who redevelop these sites are significant:

• Reimbursement for environmental costs, demolition and infrastructure improvements
  
• Michigan Business Tax credit equal to 10% of investment in property improvements
  
• Potential tax abatements for eligible projects and investments

The city will consider including privately-owned properties in its Brownfield Plan.  Properties may qualify due to environmental conditions or the functional obsolescence of structures.

Download our Recently Completed and Underway Projects Report (.pdf).

Download our amended and restated Brownfield Plan (.pdf) as well as the Policy for Inclusion in Brownfield Plan (.pdf) and the application (.pdf).

In 1996 and 2000, the City of Kalamazoo received a $200,000 USEPA Brownfield Assessment Pilot Grant and a $200,000 Supplemental Assistance Grant. These funds have been a critical component to our success.